Center for Maternal and Child Health Opens in Sliven

Over 1,150 families in the region have already received home visits thanks to the partnership of UNICEF and Postbank

A Center for Maternal and Child Health opened in Sliven and over 1,150 families with young children and pregnant women in the region have already been visited at their homes in result of Best Start for Every Child, a partner project of UNICEF and Postbank. The Center has outlets also in Kotel, Nova Zagora and Tvarditsa.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ms. Valya Radeva, regional governor of Sliven, Sliven deputy mayor Ivan Petrov, Ms. Tanya Radochay, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, Dr. Vasislav Petrov, executive director of the Dr Ivan Seliminski Hospital, Dr. Georgi Georgiev, manager of  Dr. B. Mirkovich Medical Centre, Mr. Rumen Alexandrov,  Postbank Eastern Bulgaria regional manager.

"I am happy that we are opening the Center for Maternal and Child Health in Sliven just a day before we mark 135 years since the start of health care in the region and on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Every child has the right to equal access to health, education, justice and protection. We firmly believe the good partnership between all institutions, professionals, parents, media and business will continue in the name of children who are our future  but are here and now",  Ms. Radochay said.

The center was established with support from Postbank thanks to a long-term strategic partnership between the financial institution and UNICEF Bulgaria. The partnership is the bank’s largest project, part of its CSR programme. The  investment that Postbank made to develop the platform for donations - via ATM, in cash or via internet banking has engaged the entire staff from managers to employees in bank offices.

"We invested significant resources and efforts to develop the donation platform as we believe that it give back a lot to  society: children will receive the social and health care they need.  Our customers, employees and partners have donated nearly 370,000 leva so far . We are confident that the money raised will be spent in the best possible way and will provide support to a growing number of children and families and secure training for nurses and midwives",  Rumen Alexandrov said.

From July to the end of September 2014 the Centre’s 18 specially trained nurses and midwives provided the families they visited with information, advice and tips for a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and preparation for birth. They pay special attention to the psychological and emotional preparation for parenting and basic care for newborns and infants. Prospective parents are consulted on breastfeeding, feeding and nutrition of children, child development and education, dealing with sleeping problems or difficult behaviour of young children as well as access to a variety of services for families and young children in the region.